title: The impact of social capital on HIV-related actions as mediated by personal and proxy efficacies in Namibia.
abstract: Social capital is associated with the enactment of positive health behaviors and health outcomes because it provides people a means to cope with life's stresses. This study asked whether, and to what extent, efficacy beliefs (personal and proxy, A. Bandura, Ann Rev Psychol 52:1-26, 2001) serve as mediating mechanism in the relationship between social capital and HIV-prevention behaviors, and if it is differentially associated with HIV-prevention behaviors that are aligned on a continuum ranging from individual action (practicing monogamy) to collective action (use of HIV services). In an investigation with a sample from Gobabis, Namibia (N = 300), regression models revealed that bonding, bridging, and linking social capital differentially predicted personal and proxy efficacy. In addition, both social capital variables and types of efficacy differentially predicted HIV-related behaviors and intentions that varied in their social demand. Our findings did not support a mediation model for efficacy in between social capital and HIV-related behaviors and intentions.
authors.affiliation: Communication Arts and Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 318 Sparks Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. ras57@psu.edu
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rimal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009276:Namibia; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult